Corinthians win 1-0, make final

Toyota: Brazil’s Corinthians beat African champions Al-Ahly 1-0, on Wednesday, to reach the final of the Club World Cup and set up a potential showdown with Chelsea.

Peru striker Paolo Guerrero twisted superbly to head the winner for the Libertadores Cup holders on the half-hour mark to the delight of some 20,000 Corinthians fans in Toyota. Midfielder Douglas sent a perfect cross into the box and Guerrero rose up to make an angled header past the outstretched arms of Al-Ahly goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy in the 30th minute.

The Copa Libertadores winners will face the either Champions League winners Chelsea or Concacaf champions Monterrey of Mexico in the final on December 16 at Yokohama Stadium.

Corinthians won this tournament in 2000 but a team from South American has not won since Brazil’s Internacional upset Barcelona 1-0 in the 2006 final.

The Brazilian team dominated the first half at Toyota Stadium but Al-Alhy came out with more purpose after the break. Substitute Mohamed Aboutrika went close to an equaliser in the 70th minute with a long-range attempt that was just wide of the target and Walid Soliman hit a ball over the crossbar with five minutes left.

A large contingent of Corinthian fans that travelled from Brazil made sure the South American champions were the crowd favourite.